‘Teacher Toots’

Toots Magsino fell in love with the fine art of collage in New York City. The opportunity to share this passion came about upon her return to Manila in 2007. She learned about Carewell (Cancer Resource and Wellness community), a special place that moved her compassionate heart to teach cancer patients and volunteers. They became her first happy students in collage-making in March 2011.

Since then the doors of her classroom at Carewell have opened wide to welcome adults from all walks of life into the wonderful world of collage.

Toots spent a fruitful decade in the Big Apple where she completed a double four-year program at the Art Students League of New York in Fine Arts Painting and Fine Arts Printmaking. In New York, she won a nation-wide art competition and did 10 solo exhibitions. She also participated in 40 group shows in the US, Italy, Canada, Japan and the Philippines.

Joyfully settled back in her native land, she says, “I am so grateful to God for giving me the chance to teach what I love!”

“Collage for me is a lot more than just creating beautiful artworks. It really is about nourishing one’s soul. Each one’s collage journey is unique and different, depending on where they are at in their lives. Collage is not as popular as other art forms like drawing painting and sculpture. The reason I concentrate on teaching this subject matter is to help people understand and realize that collage truly is a fine art medium. It is deeply enjoyable, too!”

Her many past and present students are currently enjoying the fine art of collage as well as the many lessons their dear teacher Toots has ingrained in them.

Here’s what Toots’ students have to say about her and the art she taught them.

Jannette Sevilla, lawyer

Teacher Toots embraced the little artist in me. Through her insightful words, graceful demeanor and warm spirit, she inspires us, her students, to tap into our creative energy.

Yvonne Dayrit-Romualdez, jeweler

Toots is a very special person because, aside from being an incredibly talented artist, she willingly shares this gift with all the people she meets! Her collage class turned out to be a spiritual experience for me. I learned more about myself and felt more in tune with God. I thoroughly enjoyed our vision board homework where we were told to cut pictures of whatever we dreamed about and whatever made us happy. The extreme joy I felt upon completing it was priceless! Not to mention the peace and quiet I felt while doing my work that contributed to the unforgettable experience.

Angie Salanio, watercolor artist

After making a collage, I feel very fulfilled and satisfied. It’s as if I just went on a vacation. I thank Teacher Toots for extending all efforts to share her fulfillment and experience as an artist. The course more than met my expectations.

Charlie Laureta, retired chef/instructor

It’s so therapeutic.

Corina Bustarga, stock market investor

Toots is a great teacher. She shows her students all tips and tricks of the trade, always mindful of letting the individual’s taste and personality shine through and not insisting on doing things her way. She is respectful of her students, open to sharing of what she knows and mostly of herself.

Chinggay Labrador, writer/yoga instructor

I am grateful to Toots for the chance to let my imagination run free, and to let my hands get dirty with glue, paper and everything else. The biggest surprise is the friends I made in class who became my adopted sisters, too!

Michelle Ortigas, entrepreneur

The art of collage is like mental exercise. It challenges you to think outside of the box. There is much to do in creating the end product, which is what the audience experiences. Thank you for sharing your knowledge of collage, photo transfer and assemblage. It was truly an inspiring class.

Reina Licauco, mom and teacher

I go to class to get in touch with my creative side. I feel like it’s been buried beneath my “daily life.” I like it a lot that there’s time in my life to uncover symmetry, color and texture. It’s challenging and fun to put together disparate pictures and to come up with work that says something personal and yet adheres to art principles. It’s journaling in a unique, engaging and fun way!

Arlene Maslog, architect and blogger

It was love at first collage! At the end of the class we had big smiles on our faces! The special thing about it was everyone was happy for everyone and our work.

The fine art of collage making is something I totally love now. This newfound love came wrapped in a pretty package of new friendships. The course has Toots at its helm. She was more than a teacher but a friend leading a friend. Each of us had a unique experience of the class because Toots taught straight from her heart — a heart to which God whispers many inspired miracles.

Kara Garilao, Heritage consultant

I never picked up a paintbrush nor drawing pencil in my life. Needless to say, I was daunted by collage. After a few sessions in her class I discovered that everyone is creative. Some us of just need a little direction. I learned a lot from Teacher Toots particularly letting loose the creative goddess in me.

Ren Laja, account manager

Being an advocate of mindfulness or the state of being in the “now,” I enjoyed every moment of Toots Magsino’s art class. Attending her classes taught me to be both structured and free flowing at the same time. I learned that collage art actually represents one’s life journey. It is synonymous to having your own personal diary, only this time, your collage becomes a journal that you are willing to share with others.

Felicia Rodriguez, homemaker

Everything in Teacher Toots class was a learning experience. Collage work can be even more interesting than painting. The course broadened my thinking about doing things in a more artistic way. I am able to apply what I learned in my daily life.

Vicki Aldaba, hotel manager

The mental stimulation was deliriously addictive!

Rissa Huibohua, interior designer

I found myself making “art” with materials the general population would consider as junk. The collage class is a perfect setting for creating art, making friends and helping Mother Earth. The classroom atmosphere coupled with Toots style of instruction was very informal and so relaxing.

Nicole Romero, freelance beauty writer and editor

The first thing I noticed is that Toots has such a respect for her craft. It’s almost sacred. You can see it with the way she touches, cuts, rips and pastes each piece onto the canvas. She pauses, ever so slightly, before touching it and proceeding with what she envisions — as if she is silently asking for permission from the materials to take part in the creations she had in mind. That’s when I knew I’d be in good hands with her as my teacher.

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The art of collage class is done in eight consecutive Saturdays. Toots plans on offering one-day workshops to those who want to learn the art but do not have the time to finish the full course.

Toots said, “I really believe in life-long education. Teaching collage to adults is my way of reiterating the fact that no one will ever be too old to learn something new.

From tentative beginnings, I have seen most, if not all my students grow into their own artistically. It is such a privilege and a pleasure! I never thought I would love being a teacher so much! God really does have specific plans for us. He led me to become one and I couldn’t be happier!”

(Would love to hear from you at miladayjewels@yahoo.com. If you’re interested in what collage can do for you, e-mail Toots at tootsmagsino@gmail.com.)